Bournemouth’s history-making season continued on Thursday as they played – and won – their first-ever home European match, beating Sturm Graz 3-0 in the Europa League.
It makes it two wins from two for the competition debutants and perhaps more importantly, they held on to a lead they took towards the end of the first half – something they have been unable to do in a poor start to the Premier League.
Evanilson will go down as the man who scored the first European goal at the Vitality Stadium and it was a thing of beauty. Adam Smith – captaining a team he joined in England’s third tier 16 years ago – found him with a cross, with the Brazilian curling a powerful header past the goalkeeper from 15 yards out.
Sturm Graz came out with intent at the start of the second half and could have equalised just after the hour. Jurgen Heil smashed the woodwork before Djorde Petrovic was needed to keep out Jacob Hodl’s follow-up.
But the Cherries rode the wave and doubled their lead through another Brazilian, Rayan. It was a howler from Daniil Khudyakov, whose spilled save from a corner landed to the Bournemouth forward. His low, fizzing shot then sped through the goalkeeper’s outstretched hands.
Bournemouth’s pre-match tifo that reads ‘from minus 17 to European dreams’
And in second-half added time, Bournemouth were awarded a penalty. Former Huddersfield man Jon Gorenc Stankovic was penalised for a foul on James Hill – also coming in the aftermath of a Bournemouth corner.
Summer signing Alvaro Rodriguez stepped up to chip the spot kick in for his first Bournemouth goal, sealing another three points. It puts the Cherries fifth in the Europa League league phase table ahead of welcoming Ruben Amorim’s AC Milan to the Vitality next Thursday.
Bournemouth had a goal ruled out in the first half for a Bafode Diakate handball
Key moments from the Vitality Stadium…
12: CHANCE! Smith curls in a wonderful cross for the incoming Tavernier, but he’s defended well as his attempt goes wide.
29: NO GOAL! The ball is in the back of the net for Bournemouth – but it’s immediately ruled out for a handball against Bafode Diakate.
33: OFF THE POST!! Tavernier’s curling effort hits the woodwork.
Marcus Tavernier hit the post in the first half for Bournemouth against Sturm Graz
41: PENALTY?! REFEREE SAYS NO! Sturm Graz have their best attack of the half, with calls for a penalty after Beganovic goes down. He is unfairly booked after, but looked to already be losing his footing as Smith made contact.
43: GOAL! Evanilson gives Bournemouth the lead with an incredible curling header from some distance.
63: OFF THE POST! SAVE! Heil hits the post with a thunderous effort from the right, before Hodl’s follow-up is stopped by Djorde Petrovic’s legs.
76: GOAL! Rayan’s low, hard shot beats Khudyakov after some poor goalkeeping.
90+2: PENALTY SCORED! Stankovic fouls Hill as he strikes inside the box and Bournemouth are awarded a penalty. Rodriguez scores from the spot.
‘That was a Bournemouth performance’
Bournemouth captain Adam Smith to TNT Sports: “It’s been a long time coming. The fans were up for it, the players were up for it so we’re very happy with the performance.
“It wasn’t my best cross (for Evanilson’s goal), but I put it into the area and what a finish from him. It’s a great header. He’s deserved it because he’s worked very hard this season and many more to come from him.
“We deserved that bit of luck and from there, we went on to win the game. In the second half, we got a bit tired but the quality that came off the bench is great. We look forward to Sunday now.”
Alvaro Rodriguez scores from the penalty spot to make it 3-0 to Bournemouth against Sturm Graz
On if this can be a springboard for Bournemouth: “It was very disappointing at the weekend (against Chelsea). We let ourselves down as players, we know that. We had a chat with each other and got a reaction today.
“That’s a Bournemouth performance right there, but the week is not done. We have a massive game against Sunderland and we need to get three points.”
‘This needs to be a springboard for Bournemouth’s season’
Analysis from Sky Sports News’ Mark McAdam at the Vitality: “Back-to-back wins in the Europa League!
“Not a classic by any stretch but one that will live long in the memories for Bournemouth fans; their first ever taste of European football at the Vitality – a real moment in history. A game they dominated across the pitch from start to finish.
“This needs to be the springboard for their season and their next match against Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday. Win that and suddenly their season is off and running…”
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